Free tool — no signup
KDP author copy cost calculator
What will a box of your own books cost? Author copies are billed at Amazon’s printing cost with no markup — here’s the exact per-copy number for your page count, ink, and trim, plus a realistic shipping estimate.
Cost per copy
$4.60
KDP printing cost — no markup
25 copies
$115.00
before shipping & tax
Est. US shipping
$17.75–$27.25
exact quote at KDP checkout
You pay printing cost only — for this book that’s $4.60 per copy regardless of your list price. Selling signed copies at events? Anything above $4.60 + shipping is your margin, and you keep 100% of it.
First get the book ready to print.
publish.ai turns your manuscript into the files KDP needs — print-ready interior PDF with correct gutters, full cover wrap at exact spine width, validated EPUB, listing copy, and launch graphics. One upload, minutes, from $29.99.
Common questions
How much do KDP author copies cost?＋
You pay only Amazon's printing cost — no royalty, no markup. A 300-page black-ink 6×9 paperback costs $4.60 per copy ($1.00 fixed + 300 × $0.012/page); short books up to 110 pages are a flat $2.30. Hardcovers start around $6.80. Shipping and sales tax are added at checkout.
How do I order author copies on KDP?＋
From your KDP Bookshelf, click the ellipsis (…) next to a live paperback or hardcover and choose 'Order author copies.' It adds the book to your Amazon cart at printing cost; you check out with your normal Amazon account. Maximum 999 copies per order.
Can I order author copies before my book is published?＋
You can order a proof copy of an unpublished book from the Bookshelf ('Request printed proofs') — it prints with a 'Not for Resale' watermark banner on the cover. Watermark-free author copies require the book to be live.
How long do author copies take to arrive?＋
They're printed on demand, so add production time (typically 2–5 business days) to the shipping speed you pick. Standard US delivery usually lands in 1–2 weeks total; Prime shipping speeds don't apply because the books print just for you.
Can I make money selling author copies myself?＋
Yes — at events, signings, or your own website. Since you pay only printing cost, a $4.60 copy sold at $15 nets you about $10 before shipping — often more per copy than the Amazon royalty on the same book. Note KDP's terms don't allow reselling author copies on Amazon itself.
Do author copies count toward my sales rank or royalties?＋
No. Author copies earn no royalty and don't move your Amazon Best Sellers Rank — you're buying at cost, not generating retail sales.
Related tools: royalty calculator, page count estimator, cover template generator.